A/N: Introduction of Elfhelm and my characterization of him in this chapter. I needed a name, so I thought of him. Rather short chapter, and updates will be at longer intervals from now on, because, as you may have noticed, school has started...

UC3vz: Hopefully got the abbreviation of the name right. Haven't heard from you in a while, and I'm glad your back!

Thanks for reviewing! Keep up the great feedback!

Chapter 36: Worlds

The messenger had not gone for three days when Theodred, eored and all, came rushing through the gates of Edoras. Theoden King met him at the steps, looking thoroughly bewildered, "Theodred. How come you here?"

"Elentari sent for me. She said there was urgent news. I thought it something grave, so I rushed here," Theodred explained, equally bewildered.

Theoden frowned, "She has not told me of anything, but mayhap she will explain." Just then, Elentari ran out of the heavy doors, trailed by Eowyn, and flew into his arms.

"Theodred! You have come!" she cried.

"You sent for me, love?" He stroked her face tenderly, while Theoden and Eowyn looked on.

"Yes," she replied, "I hope it was not too much of an inconvenience."

"Of course not, my love," he assured her, his eyes not leaving her face, "The boy said you had news."

She nodded, "Yes. Let us discuss it within our chambers."

Theoden cleared his throat significantly, "I did not hear of any such news, Elentari."

She bowed her head, "Forgive me, my Lord, but I felt Theodred should be informed first. You will learn of it soon enough."

Theoden did not approve of this bit of disrespect, but allowed the couple to take their leave.

"What is it Elentari?" Theodred questioned, concerned.

She stood at the window, thinking on how best to answer his question, though she had thought of nothing else the past few days. Finally, she took Theodred's hand, "What do you wish to name him?" She placed it on her stomach.

He showed no response, no sign of understanding at all for a moment, and then his eyes grew wide, and they questioned her in disbelief. She nodded, smiling.

"Are you sure?" he stammered, his eyes bulging out of his face.

"The first time the healers and I agree, you do not believe me?" she couldn't stop grinning at the look of disbelief on his face. He resembled a frog this particular moment.

The look of disbelief wore away, and was replaced by a dazzling grin, as he picked her up and spun her around, howling with joy all the while.

"Theodred," she giggled, "Put me down before someone mistakes those noises you're making for a Warg."

He stopped howling, but did not put her down, but drew her mouth to his for a passionate kiss. His lips soon found their way from her lips, down to her neck, and further, all the way down to her slightly swelling belly, and then back to her lips. How he had missed the taste and feel of her.

Forcing himself to pull away from her inviting lips, he murmured, "We must tell the news to Father. He will be overjoyed."

Overjoyed, was an understatement of Theoden's reaction, though some of his counselors, especially one rising rapidly in his favor, Grima, did not share his response, though of course, they tried as hard as they could to conceal it. Theoden immediately kissed and blessed Elentari, and dispatched riders to Gondor, to Dol Amroth, to the North, every possible place, and ordered a great feast in their honor to be held as soon as all the Marshals could return, including Eomer.

Gifts and letters of congratulations began pouring in, as the news reached all the corners of Endor. One by one, the eoreds began riding in, their Marshals in the lead.

"Congratulations, my Lady," Elfhelm grinned at her at the feast.

"Thank you, Marshal Elfhelm," she bowed her head, beaming back. Elfhelm reminded her of some friends she had known in Gondor, and even a hint of both Faramir and Boromir in his persona at times, and who could resist that charming grin of his?

"I know Theodred is beyond happiness," he added.

"As am I," she replied, meaning it for the first time.

"What will you name the child?"

She shrugged, "I have a few names in mind, but we have yet to discuss it, and Theodred seems to lean towards letting King Theoden name him."

"So sure, are you, that it will be a boy?" Elfhelm questioned, his grin replaced by an impish smirk."

"I can feel it," Elentari shrugged, "Does not every mother know?"

"We shall see, my Lady," he sneered good-naturedly, sweeping her a bow that reminded her so much of Boromir.

"I hope Elfhelm isn't troubling you too much," Theodred grinned, "He is known for it."

Elfhelm looked offended, though the twinkle was evident in his eyes, "I beg your pardon, my Prince."

"Finally!" She threw up her hands imploringly, barely hiding a grin, "Someone to take me away from this, this," she searched for a word, but gave up, frustrated, "I can't think of a word to describe him!"

"Elfhelm, I cannot allow you to vex my wife so," Theodred practically burst trying to keep a serious tone.

"My apologies, Prince," Elfhelm bowed once more, "But may I be as bold as to venture that it is not I who am vexing your wife, but she who is taking my good-natured concern as a tease."

Elentari snorted at this, "Good-natured concern?"

"Aye, my Lady, my good-natured concern," he repeated, which caused Elentari to push her fist into her mouth to stop her giggles.

"What are you all giggling about over here?" Eowyn piped up curiously, making her way over as she noticed the giggling threesome.

"Eowyn! Save me from this madness!" Elentari implored.

"This time she came up with a word! Madness!" Elfhelm teased sarcastically.

"Not the best word usage for a lady reputed to be so educated and refined in lore and words," Theodred added.

"Theodred!" Elentari had a hurt expression upon her face, "Are you siding with him?"

"My love, I have known Elfhelm since probably before you were born," Theodred quickly created the excuse.

"If he is so much dearer to you, then why not have him carry your child?" she spat out, a severely hurt expression on her face, though the corners of her mouth twitched to smile.

"She is right there, Theodred," Eowyn, who had been carefully listening to the conversation, remarked.

"If it were possible for me to carry a child, I certainly would not carry his," Elfhelm looked at Theodred.

Elentari sighed heavily, shaking her head, "Alas, my cruel fate."

"Elfhelm, we were supposed to be against her. Why are you now traversing alliances and helping her against me?" Theodred asked.

"For I know that behind every good man there is a great lady," Elfhelm bowed his head, "Now, if you will excuse me, I must pay my respects to some ladies myself." Theodred and Elentari watched him flit across the hall to where a group of young women gathered, and giggled to see him approach.

"How many women does he wish to charm in one night?" Elentari questioned, watching him flirt with them.

"Elfhelm flirts with every moving thing that looks anything like a woman," Theodred replied, "And they all enjoy and respond to him," he added with just enough of bitterness in his voice for Elentari to pick up.

"Yet there is no man better than my husband," she kissed him; save Faramir, rang out her mind. Immediately, another voice rang out, "Do not think of him now! You swore to push him into the past that you will not remember. You are married and carrying a child now; Faramir is no longer part of your world."

This was what she had been telling and forcing herself to believe, ever since she discovered the carriage, but as Theoden proposed a toast in honor of her and Theodred, she found her mind wandering to him, seeing him as he wielded his sword, ate in the Great Hall, and felt him kissing her. He could never not be part of her world, she knew, for he was her world.

A/N: Lovely angst and introspection you have all been craving coming your way come next chapter!! I know you've all missed it!!! Both Faramir and Elentari! Won't I have fun writing! Review!